Philip Avrum Hendel

4/5/1937 - 8/20/2025

Findlay, Ohio - Philip Avrum Hendel, whose love of storytelling, family and collecting touched everyone he met, passed away peacefully Aug. 20, 2025, in Findlay, Ohio. He was 88.

Born April 5, 1937, in Mystic, Philip was the youngest of four children of Bernard T. and Janet S. Hendel. He grew up in Mystic, attending Fitch Senior High School, where he played basketball and baseball and served as co-editor of the school newspaper, The Fitch Scarlet Tanager. His skill with words and passion for sports earned him a thousand-dollar scholarship from the New England Scholastic Press Association to Boston University's School of Journalism, as well as a position as sports correspondent to The New London Day.

At Boston University, Philip's boundless energy and leadership skills shone. He served as vice president of the All-University Freshmen Activity Council, president of the Student Council, a member of the track team, and a sports reporter – later editor-in-chief – of the B.U. News. He was active in the Drama Club's publicity committee, the Theta Chapter of Tau Epsilon Phi Fraternity, and Hillel. Recognized for his contributions, he was named "Man of the Year" for the College of General Education in 1957, inducted into Chi Gamma Epsilon and the Scarlet Key honorary societies, and graduated cum laude in 1959 with a degree in public relations and communications. He also reported for the Providence Journal, the Boston Herald, and the Norwich Bulletin.

While still in college, Philip married Marlene Weinberg of New London, Dec. 16, 1956. They were married for 30 years and raised two sons, Marc and Peter.

After a brief period in the U.S. Army, Philip began his professional life in Worcester, Mass., as sales manager for the Worcester area of his family's toy business, Nutmeg Toy House. His 30-year career in the toy industry included recognition as Worcester Jaycee of the Year in 1964.

In 1965, Philip and Marlene returned to New London, where their first son, Marc, was born. That same year, Philip launched The Jewish Leader, a newspaper for the local Jewish community that went on to become the longest continuously published paper of its kind in the country – a legacy that continues today. After time in Harrisburg, Pa., and Minneapolis, Minn., their second son, Peter, was born in 1971. The family returned to New London in 1973. Philip served on the city council, became deputy mayor in 1975, presided over the local elementary school PTA, and hosted the radio show, "The Jewish World."

Philip was a born collector and entrepreneur. In the late 1970s, while running Nutmeg Merchandising Service, Inc., he opened a cooperative flea market, The New London Trader, within Harbor Marketplace, as well as his own antiques and collectibles store, Yesterday… and Today. His collections ranged from comic books and baseball cards to Disney memorabilia, ice cream scoops, and beer cans, but his greatest passion was stamps. From the day his brother gave him his first stamp book in third grade, he built a collection he tended for more than seven decades. Known for striking up conversations about heritage, he delighted in asking strangers if they might have "a box of old stamps in the attic" they'd part with. In 1980, he even produced the Fourth Annual New England Beatles Convention when he learned it might not continue without him.

In 1982, the family moved to Waterloo, Iowa. Philip later lived in the Chicago suburbs before settling in North Carolina in 2012. By the early 1990s, he began a new chapter with LegalShield, selling legal protection benefits to individuals and employers. His success earned him membership in the Millionaire's Club many times over, along with trips to Tibet, Mexico, Greece, and China. He worked for the company well into his later years, cherishing the friendships and purpose it gave him.

In 2022, Philip moved to Findlay, Ohio, to be near his son Peter and daughter-in-law Ashley, who lovingly cared for him during his final years at The Heritage nursing facility.

Philip was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Janet Hendel; sister and brother-in-law Rose and Fred Gertner; brother Sander Hendel; brother-in-law Jules Lieberman; nephew Samuel Gertner; and granddaughter Emily Louise Hendel. He is survived by his sons, Marc (Joan) Hendel of Sagamore, Mass., and Peter (Ashley) Hendel of Findlay, Ohio; sister Toby Lieberman of New London; sister-in-law Brenda Hendel of New London; nephews, Bruce (Kelley) Hendel of Boerne, Texas; Brian (Bob) Hendel of New York, N.Y.; Stanley (Joan) Gertner of Walnutport, Pa., and Robert Hendel of New London; nieces, Linda (David Houde) Lieberman of Waterford; Sandra (Ralph) Hansen of Albuquerque, N.M.; and Donna (Charles) McIlwain of Winterville, Maine. He also leaves grandchildren: Benjamin (Brianna) Hendel of Ft. Worth, Texas; Nathan Hendel of Old Tappan, N.J.; Lexi Hendel of Temperance, Mich.; and Rachel Hendel of West Des Moines, Iowa.

Philip will be remembered for his energy, curiosity and generosity – a man who loved to collect stories, stamps and friends with equal passion.

Donations in his name can be made to the Hendel Family Association Scholarship Fund, helping seniors at New London High School go to college. To donate, please send contributions to: Community Foundation of Eastern CT Hendel Family Association Scholarship Fund, 68 Federal St., New London, CT 06320 or https://cfect.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=1323

A funeral home service will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons Funeral Home, 12 Ocean Avenue, New London. Interment will follow at Ahavath Cemetery, Boston Post Road, Waterford.